Sony SAB’s Pushpa Impossible continues to strike a chord with audiences through the inspiring journey of Pushpa (Karuna Pandey), an ordinary woman with extraordinary grit. From a devoted homemaker to a determined lawyer, the show traces her rise against every challenge, as she refuses to be defined by life’s setbacks and remains steadfast in her beliefs and resilience.

In the upcoming episodes, Pushpa’s daughter Rashi (Akshaya Hindalkar) marries Rishabh (Shrey Maradiya) amid intense drama. Before the wedding, Swara (Pari Bhatti) suspects Rishabh of gaslighting Rashi with false promises, including a flat he never intended to buy. When her concerns are dismissed, a furious Swara runs away with Titli (Bhoomi Ramola) to meet her mother Kadambari (Brinda Trivedi) in jail, triggering panic during the wedding. Kadambari manipulates Titli into believing Pushpa was responsible for her father Jugal’s (Anshul Trivedi) death, leading Titli to leave home and move in with Viren (Hemant Kher). Pushpa is left at a painful crossroads as three daughters drift away from her. After the wedding, Rashi begins to see cracks in her marriage as Rishabh continues to emotionally manipulate her.

As Pushpa battles heartbreak on multiple fronts, will she be able to save her daughter trapped in a toxic marriage?

Speaking about the ongoing track, Karuna Pandey, who essays the role of Pushpa, shares, 

“This phase is one of the most painful chapters in Pushpa’s journey. As a mother, watching your children drift away, misunderstand you, and make choices that could hurt them is heartbreaking. Pushpa has always believed in raising strong, independent daughters, but here she realises that empowerment also means knowing when to step in and protect. This track reflects the silent strength of a mother who may be breaking inside, yet refuses to give up on her children or her values.”

ITRHD inaugurates 12th Annual Craft Festival initiative to connect rural artisans of Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan directly with the market

New Delhi, Jan 7: The 12th Annual Craft Festival, organised by the Indian Trust for Rural Heritage and Development (ITRHD), opened in New Delhi on Wednesday. The event offers a rare platform to artisans from the border regions of Rajasthan and rural areas of eastern Uttar Pradesh. The objectives of the festival are to increase the reach of craftsmen to new markets while conserving cultural heritage.

The four-day festival is being held at Alliance Française New Delhi, Lodhi Estate. Artisans from Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh are participating, enabling direct interaction and sales between artisans and buyers without intermediaries. The exhibition will remain open till January 10, from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily, with free entry.

The festival was formally inaugurated by renowned Kathak dancer Shovana Narayan, who emphasised the cultural responsibility of preserving India’s living craft traditions. ITRHD Chairman Shri S.K. Mishra was also present at the event.

Addressing the gathering, Shri S.K. Mishra said, “ITRHD’s objective goes beyond showcasing crafts. Our effort is to increase the reach of craftsmen to new markets while ensuring that their cultural heritage and traditional knowledge systems are preserved.”

Shovana Narayan said, “Indian crafts are not static artefacts displayed in museums; they are living traditions sustained by families, memory, and daily practice. Platforms like this festival ensure that artisans are not reduced to anonymity and that the dignity of their labour and legacy is protected.”

A key focus of this year’s festival is Barmer district in western Rajasthan, located close to the India–Pakistan border. Six artisans from the region are participating, representing traditional skills such as embroidery, appliqué work, leather craft, dhurrie weaving, and Ajrak textile printing.

Participating artisans are conducting live demonstrations, offering urban audiences insight into crafts practiced in geographically isolated regions where access to markets remains limited. According to the organisers, the festival enables artisans to generate independent income while building long-term relationships with buyers.

ITRHD said it has been working continuously with artisans from Barmer for the past six to seven years, expanding participation every year. Beyond exhibitions, the Trust supports artisans through design intervention, product diversification, and access to multiple platforms, while covering participation-related costs so that artisans retain the full proceeds from sales.

From Uttar Pradesh, the festival features artisans from three villages in Azamgarh district, each representing a distinct cultural tradition.

Mubarakpur, located about 100 km from Varanasi, is known for its skilled handloom weavers whose work is closely linked to the Banarasi saree tradition. Despite this proximity, the region has remained relatively under-recognised. The festival aims to establish Mubarakpur as an independent weaving centre through direct sales and wider exposure.

Another major highlight is Nizamabad’s black pottery, which has emerged over the past decade as a significant example of craft revival. The pottery received global recognition after Prime Minister Narendra Modi gifted Nizamabad black pottery to Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida during the G7 Summit in Germany in June 2022. Several of the works on display have been created by members of the original artisan family associated with the revival of the craft.

Speaking at the festival, Ankit Prajapati, grandson of master artisan Rajendra Prasad Prajapati and a key figure in the contemporary revival of black pottery, raised concerns over misattribution and erosion of legacy.

“Black pottery is not just a product; it is a family-held knowledge system passed down through generations. Today, the biggest challenge is that the names of original artisans are disappearing, even as the craft gains fame. Our effort is to protect both the technique and the truth of its history,” Ankit Prajapati said.

The third cultural strand from Azamgarh is Hariharpur village, known for its classical music tradition linked to the Banaras gharana and musicians such as Pandit Chhannulal Mishra. Artists from the village will present a classical music recital on January 9, from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m., at the Alliance Française auditorium.

Now in its 12th edition, the Annual Craft Festival is held every year in New Delhi. In addition, ITRHD also organises a similar annual craft event at Mehrangarh Fort in Jodhpur, where space is provided by the fort’s trustees to support sustained engagement with artisans in Rajasthan.

Jan 7:- Total Environment Hospitality today announced the appointment of Jayandran Karunakaran as Corporate Mixologist. In this role, Jay will spearhead beverage strategy and cocktail innovation across the group’s hospitality portfolio, including Windmills Craftworks and Oota, while collaborating with culinary, operations, and brand teams to deliver elevated guest experiences. He will report to Ashish Saxena, Chief Executive Officer at Total Environment Hospitality.

Jay brings over 20 years of experience in the hospitality and F&B industry, having worked with leading hotels, Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants, breweries, luxury lounges, and global beverage programs. His career began at The Oberoi and Ista Hotels  and includes leadership roles at ITC Gardenia, Shangri-La  Ministry of Crab  and most recently at Jwala & Rakh  where he served as General Manager & Director of Mixology. He has also led entrepreneurial and consultancy projects, driving innovation in beverage programs and operational excellence.

Recognized as 1 Bartender in Mixology of South India and ranked among the Top 13 Bartenders of India Jay’s award-winning expertise has shaped him into a pioneer in mixology. His ability to craft vibrant cocktail experiences and foster team engagement aligns with Total Environment Hospitality’s vision of creating authentic, memorable experiences.

Commenting on the appointment, Ashish Saxena, CEO, Total Environment Hospitality, said:

 “Jay combines creativity with precision. His deep understanding of flavour, technique, and guest experience will help us redefine beverage programs across our restaurants while staying true to the care and detail that Total Environment stands for.”

Jayandran Karunakaran added: 

“Mixology is about storytelling through flavours. At Total Environment Hospitality, I look forward to creating beverage experiences that complement our culinary philosophy and resonate with our guests”

Jay’s approach to mixology is reflected in the new Signature Cocktails lineup at Windmills Craftworks. His creations like Dr. J’s Prescription, Shine On, Smoke on the Water, The Gift, Here Comes the Sun, and Champagne Supernova draw inspiration from music and culture. Each drink is designed as an experience, whether it’s the fleeting flame over water, the surprise of sipping unseen, or the burst of sparkling wine through a granita base. These creations embody the artistry and narrative that Jay brings to the craft.

Marking one year in his role as Head Brand Services & Business Growth at Jio Creative Labs, Amar Kondekar has played a significant role in building organisational momentum over the past year. His focus has been on creating integrated creative and operational systems that enable scale, speed and consistency across an increasingly complex brand and content ecosystem.

At Jio Creative Labs, Amar has overseen diverse mandates across Reliance Consumer Products, cultural platforms such as NMACC, as well as Invisalign’s global campaigns, Muthoot Finance, Radio City and key Government initiatives. Managing work across 40+ categories, his leadership spans sectors including FMCG, food & beverages, personal care, beauty, fashion, media & entertainment, consumer durables, healthcare, financial services and public-sector communication. His work has centred on aligning creativity, content, production and delivery into unified frameworks that drive measurable business outcomes.

A defining aspect of his role has been the integration of AI into creative and operational workflows from planning and execution to quality control and optimisation. These AI-enabled systems are designed to enhance human creativity while improving efficiency, predictability and performance at scale.

Prior to Jio Creative Labs, Amar was closely associated with content-led marketing production at Netflix, contributing to campaigns around globally recognised titles such as Stranger Things, Money Heist and Extraction, along with Indian originals including Heeramandi and The Great Indian Kapil Sharma Show. His work focused on building storytelling frameworks that connected culture, fandom and audience growth.

Earlier in his career, Amar led integrated brand mandates across multiple sectors, working on brands such as JSW Steel, Hershey’s, Park Avenue, Everyuth and Bajaj Electricals building a strong foundation in mass-scale brand strategy and execution.

Beyond campaigns, Amar actively mentor’s internship students and is involved in building SOLE  School of Learning & Experience, an educational co-operative model focused on developing future-ready creative and business talent. He is also a certified NLP Executive Coach, Yoga Instructor and triathlete, bringing a holistic, performance-led perspective to leadership and talent development.

As Jio Creative Labs continues to evolve at the intersection of creativity, content, AI and commerce, Amar Kondekar’s leadership reflects a long-term focus on building systems, talent and ideas that deliver sustained brand and business impact.

Bengaluru,  Jan 7: Quest Global, the world’s largest independent pure-play engineering services company, today announced the latest progress of its long-standing “Education for Underserved” initiative in collaboration with NGO partner Uthishta. As part of this initiative, Quest Global has been supporting six Government Junior Technical Schools (JTS) in Karnataka, reinforcing its decade-long commitment to enhancing access to foundational technical education for students from underserved communities.

Launched in 2013 with a single school in Hubballi, this commitment has been significantly scaled in 2023 to include all six Government JTS institutions across Ballari, Bhadravati, Hubballi, Bagalkot, Kalburgi, and Mangalore.  This expansion reflects the sustained impact of Quest Global’s community initiatives and its mission to create long-term value through education and skill development. Since then, the initiative has directly benefited over 800 students across all six Government JTS institutions. These schools have received comprehensive support to address gaps in infrastructure, including science labs and libraries, learning resources, technology access, furniture, scholarships, and holistic student development.

These sustained efforts have led to a shift in the mindset of parents and the community, resulting in an increase in the attendance rate and a 17% rise in admissions. This has enabled hundreds of students to successfully transition to higher education after 10^th standard.   Quest Global is also proud to support JTS alumni pursuing Engineering degrees by providing scholarships to those who qualify through the Diploma Common Entrance Test (DCET). Notably, 70% of fresh engineering graduates who received this scholarship support have secured employment with leading technology firms, including Quest Global. Additionally, many students have also started pursuing post-graduation courses, and some of them are also taking internship opportunities, underscoring the program’s success in creating a strong education-to-employment pathway.

“Inclusive education is integral to our community endeavours,” said Ajit Prabhu, Co-founder & CEO, Quest Global.

 “By strengthening Junior Technical Schools and creating clear pathways to higher education, we are not only opening doors for students from underserved communities but also shaping the future of India’s engineering talent. These young minds represent the innovators and problem-solvers of tomorrow, and our commitment is to ensure they have the resources, confidence, and opportunities to thrive in a rapidly evolving world.”

“Through this partnership with Quest Global, we are not just improving facilities, we are unlocking potential, raising aspirations, and laying a strong foundation for equitable access to technical education. It’s deeply rewarding to see students from underserved backgrounds thrive and even return as professionals to the very ecosystem that nurtured them” said Rijesh K, Trustee, Uthishta.

As part of this initiative, Quest Global has rolled out a comprehensive set of interventions aimed at strengthening education outcomes and student preparedness across the six government JTS institutions in Karnataka. These include:

• Installation of all-in-one desktop systems equipped with MS Office and UPS support, complemented by trained faculty to enhance digital literacy

• Infrastructure enhancements, including new desks, benches, book racks, waterproofing, and painting to improve the learning environment

• Distribution of essential resources such as uniforms, school bags, tool kits, and sports equipment

• Merit-based scholarships for top-performing students in Grades 8 to 10 across all six JTS institutions

• Skills development workshops focusing on communication skills, self-awareness, career counselling, and strengthened parent–teacher engagement

Through these sustained efforts, Quest Global remains committed to scaling its impact and driving meaningful, long-term improvements in education quality and community development in the regions it serves.

Thiruvananthapuram,  Dec 7:- A 63-year-old patient from the Maldives presented at the OP with difficulty in swallowing for the past three years. On evaluation by way of an endoscopy, she was diagnosed with Zenker’s Diverticulum, a rare condition with a prevalence of only 0.01% to 0.11% in the general population, usually affecting individuals between 60 and 80 years of age. This  condition constitutes the formation of a pouch or bulge at the upper part of the esophagus, leading to difficulty in swallowing, and food getting accumulated in the pouch leading to aspiration and pneumonia.

The medical team spearheaded by Dr. Madhu Sasidharan, Senior Consultant, Department of Gastroenterology, KIMSHEALTH, opted for  Z-POEM (Per Oral Endoscopic Myotomy), a breakthrough minimally invasive procedure. The procedure involves making a small incision in the esophageal lining and creating a tunnel in the submucosal layer. Through this tunnel, an  endoscope is advanced to separate the septum, the muscular wall between the esophagus and the diverticulum. The septum is then carefully divided using an endoscopic knife to fully expose and release the tight muscle to restore smooth swallowing.

Z-POEM is a  safe and effective treatment modality  for managing Zenker’s Diverticulum. It allows complete septum division, offering faster recovery, and is suitable for patients with varying diverticular sizes and multiple comorbidities, said Dr. Madhu Sasidharan.

The procedure was completed in two hours, after which the patient experienced immediate relief from  symptoms. She  was  discharged the very next day.

Dr. Ajith K Nair, Dr. Harish Kareem, Senior Consultants, Department of Gastroenterology; Dr. Simna L, Consultant, Department of Gastroenterology; Dr. ArunP, Dr. Devika Madhu, Associate Consultants, Department of Gastroenterology; Dr. Hashir A and Dr. Gopan G,  Consultants, Department of Anesthesia were also part of the procedure.

Hyderabad,  Jan 7:- Axis Bank, one of the largest private sector banks in India, successfully hosted SPLASH 2025, the 13th edition of its annual art, craft and literature competition, engaging students from over 995 schools across the country. Inspired by Axis Bank’s brand philosophy  dil se open, this year’s edition witnessed enthusiastic participation from more than 2.66 lakh students on the theme ‘Dreams’, encouraging these young minds to unleash their imagination and creativity.

In the southern region, the Bank conducted the competition across 308 schools in Hyderabad, Bangalore, Guntur, Bagalkot, Vishakhapatnam, Cuddapah, and Nellore to name a few. Over 1.01 lakh students participated, submitting entries under two sub-themes: ‘A Day in My Dream Life’ for the 7-10 years age group, and ‘The Future as I Dream It’ for those aged 11-14 years. 

Aligned with the theme, Axis Bank also launched the ‘AI Dream Generator’, an interactive digital tool designed to help children bring their dreams to life. From flying cars and talking animals to building cities on the moon, children can enter their dreams and choose their favourite medium art, craft, or literature to see their imagination come to life.

The competition will culminate with six national winners and six national runners-up, who will be awarded INR 1 lakh and INR 50,000 each, respectively. They will also have the opportunity to attend a special Art and Craft Workshop at Tashkeel, Dubai. The artwork of these winners will be showcased at the Museum of Art and Photography  Bengaluru. Additionally, the top 400 qualifiers will receive exciting goodies and vouchers from partner brands like Ixigo and American Tourister.

Hyderabad, Jan 7:- HDFC Bank today announced the integration of the Reserve Bank of India’s Central Bank Digital Currency the Digital Rupee  into its online merchant payment platform, SmartGateway. This integration enables merchants to offer customers a secure, zero-cost, and sovereign-backed digital payment option within the HDFC Bank checkout ecosystem.

With this enhancement, SmartGateway merchants can now accept payments via the Digital Rupee at zero transaction cost, alongside existing payment modes such as UPI, cards and net banking. Customers benefit from a seamless digital payment experience that is both instant and secure.

As of December 2025, HDFC Bank is one of the pilot banks servicing ~ 8.45 lakh registered CBDC wallets, with 13,000–15,000 new wallets getting added every month.

With zero-cost acceptance, CBDC offers merchants a future-ready, intermediary-free payment method that improves settlement certainty and reduces operational overheads. For consumers, the Digital Rupee offers the convenience of UPI with the added trust of RBI-backed digital currency, making every transaction fast, secure, and free.

By integrating CBDC into SmartGateway for merchants, HDFC Bank is offering customers yet another way to make payments and extending the benefits of a sovereign-backed digital currency to a wider set of businesses. This initiative reinforces HDFC Bank’s position as a digital-first leader and reflects its continued commitment to innovation and to supporting India’s transition towards a cash-light, inclusive digital economy.

Acer today unveiled a comprehensive new range of Veriton desktop computers for businesses, including all-in-ones (AIOs), a large tower, and an AI mini workstation, designed to enhance productivity and creativity across modern workplaces.

Acer Veriton RA100 AI Mini Workstation: For Prosumers, Creators, and Gamers

The Acer Veriton RA100 AI Mini Workstation (VRA100) is a Copilot+ PC powered by AMD Ryzen™ AI Max+ 395 processors, delivering advanced AI performance and immersive AI experiences on Windows 11. Equipped with AMD Radeon™ 8060S Graphics, 50 NPU TOPS, and 60 TFLOPS, it supports up to 120 billion parameters, making it ideal for local AI models, generative AI, 3D design, and content creation.

With 128 GB LPDDR5X memory and up to 4 TB M.2 2280 SSD storage, the RA100 ensures smooth multitasking and reliable performance for product designers, engineers, AI developers, animators, and creators handling complex 3D models and real-time renderings.

The workstation features adaptive performance modes — Silent, Balanced, and Performance — allowing users to optimize cooling, noise, and power for office tasks, light gaming, or AI computing. Connectivity is seamless with Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth® 5.4, and RJ45 Ethernet, while a Kensington lock slot ensures device security in shared environments.

Acer Veriton Vero 4000 & 6000 Series All-in-One Desktops: Modern Workplaces, Enhanced Productivity

The Veriton Vero 4000 (VVZ4734G/VVZ4734GT) and Veriton Vero 6000 (VVZ6734G/VVZ6734GT) AIO desktops combine AI-driven performance, robust security, and efficient manageability in a sleek, eco-conscious design.

Powered by Intel Core Ultra 9 Series 2 processors, with up to 64 GB DDR5 memory and 2 TB PCIe Gen 4 SSD storage, the AIOs offer seamless multitasking. The Vero 6000 additionally features Intel vPro, enabling advanced security and remote management for IT teams.

Both models sport 23.8-inch Full HD, 144 Hz touch displays, with ergo stands and VESA mount support for flexible setups. Collaboration is enhanced via a 5.0 MP infrared webcam with privacy shutter, built-in stereo speakers, and Acer PurifiedVoice software.

Tested to MIL-STD 810H standards and certified with EPEAT Gold, TCO, and Energy Star 9.0, these devices also emphasize sustainability, using post-consumer recycled materials and 100% recyclable packaging. Security is reinforced with TPM 2.0 and a Kensington lock.

Acer Veriton 2000 Large Tower: High-Performance Desktop for Creators and SMBs

The Veriton 2000 Large Tower (VK2730G) is engineered for AI-assisted content creation and everyday productivity. Powered by Intel Core Ultra 9 Series 2 processors and NVIDIA® GeForce RTX™ 5080 GPUs, it delivers 1,801 AI TOPS, enabling smooth AI tasks, modeling, rendering, and editing.

With scalable memory (up to 64 GB DDR5) and storage (up to 2 TB M.2 PCIe Gen 4 SSD), it handles large media files efficiently. The tower supports Acer Sense, an intuitive app for device management, diagnostics, and performance tracking with minimal IT intervention. Connectivity options include Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth® 5.4, and RJ45 Ethernet, while energy efficiency is ensured through Energy Star compliance and EPEAT Bronze registration.

 Acer Veriton 2000 All-in-One: SMBs and Hybrid Workspaces

Designed for SMBs, field teams, and office operations, the Veriton 2000 AIO (VZ2515G) features Intel Core Ultra 7 Series 2 processors, up to 64 GB DDR5 memory, and 1 TB SSD storage, delivering responsive performance for everyday business tasks.

The 23.8-inch Full HD display supports VESA mounting and tilt adjustment for flexible office or kiosk setups. Security is ensured via TPM 2.0 and a Kensington lock, while Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth® 5.2, and RJ45 offer stable and fast connectivity. Windows 11 Pro provides advanced protection against emerging cybersecurity threats, making it ideal for hybrid work environments.

Acer’s new Veriton lineup is designed to cater to diverse business needs, from AI-powered creativity and high-performance computing to eco-conscious, collaborative office solutions, ensuring productivity, efficiency, and sustainability for modern workplaces.